French-Japanese musician Maia Barouh, renowned for her blend of soulful pop and traditional Japanese folk, has released a new song, "La Forêt," dedicated to raising awareness about forest protection. In this exclusive interview, Barouh delves into the inspiration behind the song, the importance of indigenous knowledge, and the role of art in environmental advocacy. Join us as we explore the creative process and the powerful message behind "La Forêt."

Q: How did the idea for La Forêt come about?
A: When the organisation Everland approached me to write a song for forest preservation, I wrestled with finding the right angle. I wanted to avoid cliché messages and create a personal connection. This led me to reflect on my childhood experiences growing up between Tokyo, Paris and the deep countryside of France, where I had a strong connection to nature.

Q: How did this childhood experiences influence the song?
A: I wanted to recapture the feeling of being in the forest as a child – a sense of peace and connection with nature. This feeling, I believe, is something we all tend to lose as we grow up. So I wrote La Forêt with an aim to evoke that reconnection with nature through music.

Q: What were the challenges you faced when creating the song?
A: The biggest challenge was finding the right way to express the message in both French and Japanese, which are the two languages I used. French allows for a more direct approach, highlighting the interconnectedness between humans and forests. Japanese, on the other hand, lent itself to a more poetic and abstract expression.

Q: The video features a celebration ritual. Can you tell us more about it?
A: The video showcases a traditional Japanese forest ritual practiced for centuries. I wanted to highlight the importance of celebrating these traditions and the knowledge they hold. The inclusion of the Ainu, the indigenous people of the Japanese region of Hokkaido, and their traditional singing adds another layer of depth and respect for the forest's cultural significance.

Q: How can art contribute to environmental advocacy?
A: I acknowledge that artists may not directly influence policy change, but we can present alternative perspectives and inspire a deeper connection with nature. It is with this mind that I hope that La Forêt will encourage listeners to not only enjoy the music but also reconnect with the natural world and make conscious choices as consumers and users of the environment.

La Forêt is more than just a song; it's a call to reconnect with nature. Through her piece, Maia invites listeners to explore their own relationship with the environment and consider the impact of their choices. The collaboration with indigenous communities and the celebration of traditional knowledge further enriches the message, reminding us of the deep cultural connection to forests that deserves to be preserved. 

Everland, who represents community-led forest conservation projects in the Global South, was keen to join forces with Maïa and her community partners to amplify their message in the belief that art can drive meaningful environmental and social change.